Monday, January 1, 2018

To the ol’ stomping grounds we go. I hadn’t been back to The Whisky since 1991. New Years Eve, being back in L.A., good friends, and rock ‘n roll gave me all the more reasons to put to bed a not so great year, and welcome in 2018 with fun & celebration.

Joey C. Jones remembers his Sweet Savage days on the Strip, as do I. They were stars, he still is. The nights set was his solo band ripping through a fast pace of uptempos. Closing it out with “Wait All Night” from his Gloryhounds record, and an appropriate cover of the Slade classic “When The Lights Are Out.” Joey is always at his best when the pop melodies shimmer. We also caught up and a new podcast interview with the man will be up later this month. Never a shortage of stories to tell.

Faster Pussycat took the stage at 10pm. Solid and sounding great.
There’s something about hearing those songs live, tunes that are so
familiar like “Babylon,” “Bathroom Wall,” “Slip Of The Tongue,” being
delivered with that raucousness, that you can’t help but get pulled
into, and enjoy every minute of it. Does Taime slither around stage like
he used to? No, but even with his godfather mafioso type stature, he’s
compelling.

The headliners were next, everyone excited for a new year, and for L.A.
Guns to take the stairs and walk on that stage. All smiles from Phil
& Tracii throughout, you could tell they were really enjoying
themselves. Phil joked about when the band played The Whisky in the
1800’s. All kidding aside, he’s aged well, and still performs with the
purpose of making sure you’ve had a good time. As the countdown was
nearing, they played on until a minute to go. Complementary champagne
flutes at the bar for those who wanted a toast. Their lady friends
joining them onstage for a smooch. Of course there would be no
traditional “May Old Acquaintance Be Forgot” song that you’d hear once
the ball drops, so their other guitar man - Michael Grant took center to
do a nice rendition of “Purple Rain” in replace of.

Much like Faster, it’s those songs like “Electric Gypsy,” “Sex Action,” that remind you of when you got into the band, and how that voice or that guitar player is its signature.The evening for me was a nod to the past, but more about the appreciation for now.I somehow think the bands that played this show would think the same of themselves.Bring on the new year, rock ‘n roll my glitter gurus!